No one's knowledge of Democratic national politics over the past 22
years will be entirely complete without this account by the man who
operated so long at its stormy center. Larry O'Brien is one of the most
decent men in a profession currently held in low esteem; he is also a
tough Irishman who has shed more tears in joy and sorrow than ought to
be allotted any single lifetime in politics.

Out of sudsy neighborhood political debate in his immigrant father's
cafe and...